By Mary Macedo, Neighb News Correspondent
At its meeting on Monday, 1/9 the Fairhaven Board of Public Works discussed road work plans for FY18, and new lighting at Fort Phoenix.
The meeting room was packed with residents petitioning for their streets to be chosen to be fixed this year. BPW Chairprson, Mike Ristuccia addressed the residents, asking which streets they were here petitioning for.
There were residents from Hopkins, Brown, Diamond, and Camel Streets. They told the board that their streets are mostly mud and dirt, with huge potholes, making it difficult to drive on them.
Mr. Ristuccia explained that every year the BPW has around $300,000 to fix roads. The board tries to choose roads that are the most critical, but that will also affect the most people.
Board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson explained that there were 14 roads on the list to be fixed and only $300,000.
Public Works Superintendent Vincent Furtado explained to the residents that every year the BPW tries to choose two main streets and two gravel roads. Mr. Furtado said that last year the BPW had a little more money and this year they are hoping for the same.
Donna Theodore brought photos of Diamond Street to show the board.
“The school department had to change the bus route because of the road,” Dan Corcoran said referring to Hopkins Street.
Pamela Corcoran explained to the board that a lot of cars cross through Hopkins Street, which causes even more damage to the road. She also said the rain causes issues with drainage and potholes.
Michael DeCrosta who lives on Diamond Street, told the board that when it rains the potholes get filled with water six inches deep.
“I worry about kids on their bikes,” Mr. DeCrosta said.
Many of the residents complained about not being able to open their windows because of all the dirt and dust.
Mr. Hobson said that this year he believed the BPW should make dirt roads their priority.
“I’ve been down roads on West Island that need fixing badly,” Mr. Hobson said. “People can’t open their windows in the summer.”
Mr. Hobson explained that the potholes on those streets are so bad, that people need to get their tires on their cars fixed more often.
“We only make a recommendation for the town meeting,” Mr. Hobson explained. “They can change our recommendations”
“If you don’t win here, you can go to town meeting and express your concerns,” Mr. Hobson said.
“I agree a lot with Mr. Hobson,” board member Brian Wotton said. “I am more in favor to pave more dirt and gravel roads.”
Mr. Wotton explained that the BPW may not have enough money to fix all of the roads but the BPW will try to get all the potholes filled.
Board member Jarrod Lussier explained that Hopkins Street and Brown Street are two of the cheapest streets to pave, but Diamond Street will cost two-thirds of the BPW’s budget.
Mr. Ristuccia said that they could always choose to do a portion of Diamond Street.
Mr. Hobson praised the town residents who came out to the meeting to fight for their streets. Hesaid he felt that the residents who came to the meeting should be the ones whose streets get fixed.
The board agreed. After a few calculations the board figured out that if they receive the same budget as last year, they would be able to fix Hopkins, Brown, Diamond, and maybe have a little money left to do one other small street, such as Rockland.
The board voted unanimously to recommend those streets be paved in FY18.
The Fairhaven residents who attended the meeting clapped, but Mr. Hobson reminded them that Town Meeting could still change the BPW’s recommendations.
Mr. Wotton told the residents that they should attend Town Meeting in May to show support for their streets.
In another matter, the board discussed the water and sewer bills for the North Fairhaven Improvement Association and the Fairhaven Little League.
The question up for debate was whether or not the BPW should charge these organizations for the water they use.
“As a taxpayer and a dad I don’t think we should be charging a non-profit that is for kids,” Mr. Wotton said, adding that the Little League is basically run by volunteers who love the kids and love the town.
Administrative Assistant Kathy Tripp informed the board the Little League’s concession stand bill was $2400, which is an unusually large amount, indicating there may have been a leak.
Mr. Wotton agreed that the Little League should be informed of the bill and be cautious about how much water is being used.
The board agreed that both Little League and the N.F.I.A do so much for the town that the board voted unanimously to waive the fees.
In another matter, Mr. Hobson wanted to give his thanks for the new lights at Fort Phoenix.
“I just wanted to thank Vinny, Linda, and the electricians who put up the lights,” Mr. Hobson said. “It’s not dark like it was. If you go by you’ll notice a huge difference.”
Mr. Ristuccia noticed Contractor Peter DeTerra at the meeting and called him forward. Mr. DeTerra was scheduled to attend the last BPW meeting to discuss the water service at 232 Huttleston Avenue, but he was unable to make the meeting. The BPW decided to table Mr. DeTerra’s appointment until the water calculations were done and approved by the Water Superintendent, Edward Fortin.
Mr. DeTerra presented the water calculations to the board, which, he said indicated that water service at the property was adequate to handle the new use that is proposed for the property.
Mr. Lussier noted that the issue was not on the agenda, and he was concerned about discussing a matter that was not documented on the agenda.
Mr. Ristuccia explained that the engineer showed the water calculations for the property are adequate.
“I don’t know why this is an issue,” Mr. Ristuccia said. “Why do we need to talk to Mr. Fortin?”
He said it is a waste of the owner’s time and the BPW’s time because the engineer said the water service at the property was adequate. He said he did not understand why they have to make the owner wait any longer to begin development of his property.
Ms. Tripp explained that Mr. Fortin is the one that is supposed to approve it because he is the Water Superintendent and that BPW should not even be voting on it.
“I don’t feel like we should be voting on something that is not on the agenda,” Mr. Lussier said, adding that if it was on the agenda and Mr. Fortin was there to approve it, it would fine.
Mr. Wotton explained that he did not want to hold anyone up any longer, and made a motion to accept the water service plan based pending Mr. Fortin’s acceptance.
It was seconded and agreed upon by everyone except Mr. Lussier who abstained.
“I abstained only because it is not on the agenda, but I agree with Mr. Wotton,” said Mr. Lussier.
Mr. Hobson explained that from now on Ms. Tripp needs to know when people are coming to the meeting, so it can be put on the agenda because it if had been on the agenda Mr. Fortin would have attended.
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